HMRC self-assessment deadline is today

The deadline for filing a self-assessment tax return is today, Monday 31 January.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has revealed that it expects more than one million people to face a penalty for filing their returns late.

As of Friday last week, an HMRC spokesman confirmed that it had received just 5.8 million online tax returns out of the anticipated seven million. However, it expected many more to be filed over the weekend and today.

Those individuals who do not file their returns before tonight's deadline face a £100 penalty. According to HMRC, it expects 900,000 people to miss the deadline, out of the nine million self-assessment tax payers.

For those that have left it until today, HMRC has warned that taxpayers may find it tough to log-on to the self-assessment system as the login information may not be available at such short notice.

Until a 'unique tax reference number' has been received through the post, taxpayers will not be able to log onto the online system or file their return.

Those taxpayers who paid via the old paper system should have had their returns filed by 31 October 2010.

Queries regarding tax returns should be directed to the Self Assessment helpline, which is open from 8am to 8pm today and available by calling 0845 900 0444.